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Prior movement of one arm can facilitate motor adaptation in the other
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Description: Segments of a limb's motion sequence can be adjusted based on linked segments of the same sequence. Prerequisite for such adaptation to occur is that kinematics of the linked segments correctly predict which adjustments are needed. We show that use of kinematic information to improve performance is even possible when a prior linked movement is performed with a different limb. For example, a skilled juggler might have learned how to correctly adjust his catching movement of the left hand when the right hand deviated from the intended throwing action in a specific way. Linkage is possibly a key mechanism of the human motor system for learning complex bimanual skills. Our study emphasizes that motor learning of specific movements or skills should not be studied in isolation but within their motor sequence context.